Exploring options: As the traditional direct lending market has become crowded, private lenders are looking for ways to expand their reach into other parts of the economy. Recently, private credit firms have begun eyeing the $50 trillion housing market as homebuyers look for nontraditional loans for relief from high rates. Read more from Bloomberg. A subscription may be required.
Legacy sodas: After the U.S. market share for Pepsi’s classic cola—which once aspired to overtake Coca-Cola’s as the nation’s favorite soda— slipped to No. 3, behind Dr Pepper, the company has been working to regain customers. Times are tough for legacy sodas, and they aren’t likely to be helped by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. referring to sugary, carbonated drinks as “poison.” Energy drinks and niche beverages billed as healthier have been grabbing market share for years, and the U.S. soda market now resembles a slowly melting ice cube. Read the full story from The Wall Street Journal.
Slight drop: The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell modestly last week, remaining within the same range of recent years. Jobless claim filings fell by 6,000, to 219,000, for the week ending March 29, the Labor Department said Thursday. That’s less than the 226,000 new applications analysts forecast. Read more from the Associated Press.
